Do now
Step back, keep people from disturbing the spot, take a location photo and note when it was found.
Explore do now →Keep the evidence intact
Found termites? What to do now
If you uncover live termites, stop opening the area further. Avoid spraying, breaking the workings or removing affected timber before it can be assessed.
Do not do
Do not spray, flood, scrape, pull off linings or remove timber to see how far it goes.
Explore do not do →Record the context
Note the room or elevation, nearby leaks or recent work, and any earlier reports you can locate.
Explore record the context →Plan the call
Describe live insects versus old workings and whether building work has exposed the area.
Explore plan the call →If the evidence is a soil-like trail
Keep it intact and compare its location and lookalikes.
Explore if the evidence is a soil-like trail →Questions on this page
Quick answers about found termites? what to do now
Should I spray them?
No. Killing visible insects may disrupt the evidence without identifying the extent or source of activity.
Should I cover the area again?
Do not alter it further; keep the location protected from accidental disturbance.
Can I remove damaged timber?
Wait until activity has been assessed and repair sequencing has been discussed.
Is this an emergency?
It warrants prompt attention, but the useful first response is calm evidence preservation rather than destructive investigation.
What happens during the first contact?
You can explain what you found, where it is and whether the area is safe and accessible; Local Pest Co can then confirm what service is available.